PAGE 1 Educating For Success

975 Karadoc Avenue Irymple Vic 3498 Ph 03 5024 5407 Fax 03 5024 6631

Website www.irysec.vic.edu.au Parent Portal http://psportal.irysec.vic.edu.au/ Twitter https://twitter.com/irymplesc

Principal’s Report

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal’s Report

School Council Elections The 2016 School Council election process is underway and parents are invited to nominate for two vacant parent representative positions. A school councillor’s term is for two years, with half the councillors being elected each year to ensure continuity on the College Council. Details of the election process have been posted on the school portal and displayed in the school foyer. Nomination forms are available at the front office and close at 4pm Friday 4th March. Whole School Assembly The first whole school assembly was held on Tuesday with a very full agenda. The assemblies are a wonderful opportunity for the school community to celebrate the achievements and acknowledge the talents of many students. This week we acknowledged school captains, house captains, peer mentors and Year 7 scholarship recipients and we enjoyed the musical talents of Ashli White and Latara Trigg. Most importantly, the first round of student of the month awards were presented to twenty well deserving students: Year 7 – Mary Fine, Haylie Mackintosh, Claudia Fangaloka, Paige McLean; Year 8 – Jackson Adolph, Jack Bennett, Cade Murphy, Brooke Hards, Shakara Delcastegne; Year 9 – Ashlyn Archer, Mele Lauteau, Shae Gathercole-Mills, Bailey Aitken, Kendall McLean; Year 10 – Ellen Abbott, Lily Tindall, Kyle Mackintosh, Tarsha Hawley, Taylah Hamence and Shaun Jackson.

Swimming Sports Last week’s swimming sports were a resounding success. The day was perfect, the organisation was meticulous and the active participation and enthusiasm of our students were impressive. Many students willingly stepped in to ensure their House had a representative in each race and the efforts of others to ensure they completed the race to guarantee points for their house made everyone proud to be associated with Irymple SC. I would like to personally thank all students and staff for their efforts and to thank

the parents and friends who attended the day to support their children and the student body as a whole. Parent/Teacher Interviews, Interim Reports and the ISC Redemption Policy Parents/carers have been advised by mail of the changes to the school’s redemption policy; how to access interim reports from the portal and how to book parent/teacher interviews via the portal. BYOD Devices If your child has still not brought their device in to be set up for use at school, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible. Robyn Blackie Acting Principal

March 3rd, 2016

Irymple Secondary College

TERM 1 Wed 2nd – Fri 4th March Yr 7 Grampians Camp Tue 15 – Thu 17th March – Yr 9 surf camp Mon 7th – Portal open to start booking Parent Teacher Interviews Mon 21st March – I/S tennis and volleyball Wed 9th March – Parent Teacher Interviews (4pm-7pm) Wed 23rd March I/S baseball and softball Thu 10th March – Yr 7 immunisations Sat 16th April – Car Boot Sale (8am-11am)

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Principal’s Report

Assistant Principal’s Report

Student Leadership This week a number of our students have received their badges at our school assembly in recognition of the leadership roles they are undertaking in 2016. It is a strength of our school that a range of opportunities are offered, not only for our year 10 students, but at each year level on the Student Representative Council (SRC) and also on the Anti-Bullying Committee.

Our assembly saw our 2016 School Captains, Jake Lay, Sam Fangaloka, Ellen Abbott, Tegan Harris, Tarsha Hawley and Nicola Reid step up to the challenge of conducting their first formal school gathering, capably assisted by Mrs Clyne. These students, along with fellow SRC leaders, and SRC Coordinator Mrs Kee, will be very busy coordinating our Easter Baskets fundraising activity scheduled to culminate on the last day of the school term.

Congratulations to House and Vice Captains for 2016: Brak Zambelli, Holly Mills, Locke Thornton, Jessemy Thornton – JOHANSEN; Ben Symes, Ruby Underwood, Liam Milton, Carly Staley-Schreiber – LLOYD; Shaun Jackson, Ashleigh Rundell, Jake Lay, Emma Martin – MIDDLETON; Lachlan Op De Coul, Ellen Abbott, Tom Reddy, Tarsha Hawley – ROBERTS.

Our peer mentors have already undertaken a number of activities with the year 7 students to support and guide them in their transition into secondary school. 2016 peer mentors are: Kyle Mackintosh, John Mendoza, Daniel Harberger, Callum Witte, Caleb Garraway, Lachlan Timms, Simran Kaur, Courtney Ransome, Maddison Cody, Olivia Caminiti, Abbey Simpson, Madison Lloyd, Savanna Kalms, Courtney Orwell, Emily Cox, Tyler James, Ramsey Wootton, Bethany Curran, Sarah Willis, Marissa Alicastro and Chloe Niutta.

Two Year 9 Student Leadership opportunities for Healthy Living/Breakfast Club/School Canteen If you are in Year 9, interested in being involved in helping establish the ISC Breakfast Club to operate two mornings a week from Term 2 onwards, keen to make suggestions on activities our school can be involved in with the Healthy Living Achievements program and want to give students a voice in what our canteen is providing, then register your interest with Mrs Symes by 9.00am Tuesday March 8th to be a student member of this important committee.

ISC Fence Project At our last School Council meeting, it was endorsed by all members of School Council that this year a key fundraising priority for our school was the current school fence facing Karadoc Avenue. A number of fundraising activities are planned for 2016 and we would love all of our school families to be involved in at least one activity. Our first activity planned is a Car Boot Sale to be held on the ISC Soccer Oval, scheduled for Saturday April 16th, 2016 from 8.00am - 11.00am. This will be a great opportunity for

anyone who wishes to empty their shed or storage of unnecessary clutter and change it into cash for the holidays. We will be charging $30 for each vehicle selling items, a gold coin donation for adult entry and running a bbq over the morning. If you are wishing to be part of our ISC Car Boot Sale, please leave your name and contact details at the Irymple Secondary College Office by Thursday March 25th. Entry is open from 6.30am for exhibitors setting up.

In Term 2 we are looking at holding our ISC Trivia/Auction Night - stay tuned to our next newsletter for further details.

Mrs Anne Symes Assistant Principal

Early Departures and Late Arrivals

Parents/guardians are reminded to please supply notes for students required to leave school early or for those arriving late in the morning, or alternatively accompany students to the office. Students supplying notes or being accompanied by parents will be entered on the school roll as an approved entry, rather than an unapproved entry. Students needing to leave the school early are asked to show their note to their class teacher (so they are allowed to leave class) and then present this note to the office. Your assistance with this matter is much appreciated.

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Wreath Laying Ceremony On Friday 19th February, two of our school captains, Ellen Abbott and Tegan Harris, attended the wreath laying ceremony at Henderson Park to commemorate the bombing of Darwin on February 19th 1942. Those that attended learnt about the WWII bombings that took place in northern Australia and the significance it held for the Australian troops and those that were affected by the bombings. Lest We Forget.

Carlie Kee

Free E-Book access for everyone. If your child has a device they can access free e-books from our local Mildura Library. All you need to do is follow the following instructions. 1. Get a Mildura Library membership, its free.

2. Download Bolinda Borrow Box

3. Once downloaded add your library, Mildura Library.

4. Input your Library number and passcode, (you will set these up when you join.) If you don’t have these call

or go into the Library to access them.

5. Search all available books borrow and return as wanted.

This is a great free resource for both students and family members to use. If you need further information on how to use Borrow Box see Mildura Library or contact Mrs Taylor.

South Australian State Championships Well done to Jordan Stainer of 8B who recently competed in the 4 x 800 metre relay in the South Australian State Championships. Jordan was competing in an age group category surpassing his age (the under 18 category) and managed to come away with a silver medal! Congratulations!

Irymple Secondary College has joined the Mildura Regional School Breakfast Partnership. Children who have eaten breakfast can concentrate better and

have a longer attention span, helping them to learn and study better. They can also perform better physically after eating breakfast as there is more

energy available to their muscles. Breakfast can improve behaviour and mood, as children have better concentration and aren’t tired or hungry. An opportunity for every child in our region to have a nutritious start to the day! When: Beginning Thursday 14th April and running Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00am till 8:30am

Where: ISC Home Economics Room

For more information see Andre, Mrs Boyce or Mrs Symes. See you there!

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CAREERS NEWS Weekly Careers News – This publication is an excellent source of careers information and upcoming events which has hyperlinks direct to many of the organisations. It is messaged out via the ISC portal each week to year 9 & 10 parents and students. There is also a ‘Quick Link’ located on the right hand side of ISC homepage under the heading Careers-Pathways for all other students and parents. I encourage all students, especially those in year 9 & 10 to check it weekly to see if one or more of the items interest them. Some of the items from the last few weeks included:

Jackie Horkings – Careers/Pathways Coordinator horkings.jackie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Feb 16th

Feb 23rd

Focus on early information sessions - for TAFE and university

Charles Sturt University - MyDay

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Careers Day

Science in the City, RMIT

La Trobe University - Experience La Trobe University

Monash University - Inside Monash Seminars

University of Melbourne - Meet Melbourne

Nursing and Health Expo

VET and Agricultural Science Open Day

A Day at Melbourne University

Engineers Australia Facebook page

What type of engineering are you suited to? Take the RMIT quiz

UMAT Simulations Day

Short courses in arts at RMIT

Monash University - website just for parents.

Meet the science academics at Monash University

Do you love computers, science and solving problems? Explore Data Science

Gap year in the Air Force, Army and Navy - opening soon

Lattitude Global Volunteering - applications now open

Pre apprenticeships

Global studies at Monash University

Asia Studies at Australia National University - profiles, scholarships and the Year in Asia program

Keep in touch with La Trobe University and win

Destination Monash Tumblr - time management, study skills, and coping with study - written by Monash University students

Is personality more important than intelligence for academic success?

Biomedical Engineering - fantastic course for students who love science, mathematics and health

Science news from RiAUS - Australia’s Science Channel

Australian Defence Force Careers Expo - Education Day

Scholarships for students interested in quantity surveying and construction economics etc.

Courses at the Australian Maritime College - for students who love science and the ocean!

Upcoming Events

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Easter Basket Competition – last day of term

The S.R.C. are once again having our annual Irymple Secondary College Easter Basket Competition where form groups compete against each other to come up with most creative Easter hamper – all in support for Oasis Aged Care. The themes for this year are:

Year 7 – Zoo Year 8 – Space Year 9 – Food Year 10 – Disco DETAILS: The judging of the baskets and drawing of the raffle will take place on Thursday 24th March (last day of

school). This is a casual dress day and gold coin donations made on the day will go towards Oasis Aged Care. No thongs or singlets allowed.

Each student will be given a book of 10 raffle tickets to sell to friends and family at $1 each. The raffle book and money ($10) can be handed in to the front office up until Wednesday 23rd March. Remember to put your name on the raffle book and to put ticket holders names and phone numbers on the ticket stub.

We also ask that students bring along a donation to put in their form’s basket in the coming weeks. Donation can be Easter chocolate, decorations or up to $5 to give to your form teacher to purchase items for the basket. Students will be a given a free ticket in to the raffle from their form teacher once they bring in their donation for the basket.

PRIZES: 17 amazing baskets to be won! The form with the Best Easter Basket will win their own basket – to be shared with form group members

that afternoon. The form that sells the most tickets will win their basket. The student that sells the most tickets will also get a prize.

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO OASIS AGED CARE IRYMPLE. ***Any questions, ask a college captain or Mrs Kee***

2016 TERM DATES Term 1 Thu 28th January to Thu 24th March

Term 2 Mon 11th April to Fri 24th June

Term 3 Mon 11th July to Fri 16th September

Term 4 Mon 3rd Oct to Tue 20th December

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Inter-house swimming sports

Our inter-house swimming sports were held at the Irymple Pool on Wednesday 17th February. This was a successful day with an excellent participation rate, plenty of atmosphere and colour and some excellent results in the pool. Spectators were again entertained by the commentary

and wit of Mr Bill Sauer on the microphone and also had their appetites satiated by Gibbo and his crew on the BBQ. Early on it was defending champion Roberts who set the pace with Johansen and Lloyd challenging at times, but as the day progressed, Roberts asserted their dominance to run out convincing winners by 76 points. They finished well ahead of Johansen and Lloyd who held a good battle for second position. As it turned out, Johansen claimed 2nd position by 16 points over Lloyd who claimed 3rd position by 29 points from Middleton who brought up the rear. House Shield results were: 1st Roberts – 528 points

2nd Johansen – 452 points

3rd Lloyd - 436 points

4th Middleton - 407 points

Individual Age Group champions were: 13 Yr Female Champions – Claudia Fangaloka and Paige McLean 13 Yr Male Champion – Daniel Plummer 14 Yr Female Champion – Louisa Stevens 14 Yr Male Champion – Brayden Simpson 15 Yr Female Champion – Shae Gathercole-Mills and Kendall McLean 15 Yr Male Champion – Brodie Adams 16 Yr Female Champion – Tarsha Hawley 16 Yr Male Champion – Brak Zambelli

Congratulations again to Roberts House, to all age group champions and to all students who swam and had a go. Also a big ‘thank you’ to all parents and families who came along and supported. An extensive assortment of photos from the day appear overleaf. Steve Morrish Sport Co-ordinator

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Interschool swimming sports

Congratulations to all swimmers who took part in the SSVS (interschool) swimming sports which were held on Wednesday 24th February. This year SJC won comfortably ahead of RCSC who came

in 2nd while we finished 3rd overall. It was pleasing to see that we had swimmers in most events and that students stepped up and swam in events on short notice when other swimmers could not swim in their chosen events. Well done and thanks to those swimmers. We had 1 excellent individual result, that being Daniel Plummer of Yr 7 who came 2nd in the 13 Yrs Boys AGC winning 3 events, those being the Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly. Our only other individual winner on the day was Brayden Simpson who won the 14 Yrs Butterfly. We also had success in the 14 Yrs Boys medley relay with Daniel, Brayden, Reece Plummer and Archer Zambelli coming out with a convincing win. Although we didn’t have any other winners, many other swimmers swam well and received placings in their event(s). As a result, of their performances, Daniel, Reece, Brayden and Archer will be representing the college at the Loddon Mallee Region Swimming Carnival at Swan Hill on Thursday 17th March. Good luck boys. Thanks to the parents and family members who came along to support the team on the day, and once again congratulations to all swimmers for your efforts on the day. Steve Morrish (Sport Co-ordinator)

Bullying What is bullying? Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. Some conflicts between young people are a normal part of growing up and are to be expected. Single incidents and conflicts or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not considered bullying, even though they may be upsetting and need to be resolved. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Identifying bullying can sometimes be difficult. Bullying is often conducted out of sight of teachers and young people may be reluctant to report bullying. What you can do as a parent Parents play a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. Recognize the warning signs that your child is involved in bullying. They could be being bullied, bullying others, or witnessing bullying. Although these signs could signal other issues, you should talk to your child if they display any sort of behavioural or emotional changes. Many times young people won’t ask for help, so it is important to know what to look for. Signs a Young Person is Being Bullied Look for changes in your child. However, be aware that not all young people who are bullied exhibit warning signs. Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are:

Unexplainable injuries

Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewellery

Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness

Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares

Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem

Self-destructive behaviours such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

Signs a Young Person is Bullying Others Young people may be bullying others if they:

Get into physical or verbal fights

Have friends who bully others

Are increasingly aggressive

Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently

Have unexplained extra money or new belongings

Blame others for their problems

Don’t accept responsibility for their actions Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity

My child has seen bullying take place Your child may know someone who is being bullied or has seen it happening at school. Even just witnessing bullying can be disturbing for a young person. A person who witnesses or knows bullying is occurring is called a bystander and requires support to deal with what they have seen or know is taking place. Bystander concerns include:

not knowing what to do or not wanting to make the situation worse

not knowing if their actions will make a difference

feeling worried about their safety if they intervene

feeling worried about the impact of taking action on their friendships

being anxious that they will be bullied as a result of intervening. Research shows that peers are present in 85% of bullying incidents at school. Bullying has been shown to stop within 10 seconds when bystanders take positive action. Utilize tips and tools to talk to your child about bullying. Opening lines of communication before your child is involved in bullying makes it easier for them to tell you when something happens. It is also important to work with a school to help prevent bullying before it starts. Communicating with the school Understanding what has happened can also help in communicating with school about the situation. If you are concerned your child is being bullied, harassed or physically hurt, talk to the school about your concerns. The best outcomes for your child will be achieved by you and the school working together. The sooner the school receives information about a bullying issue, the quicker they can respond. Schools are aware of the potential harmful effects of bullying, including online bullying (cyberbullying), on young people and take reports of bullying seriously. Schools must follow privacy laws and may not be able to tell you everything that has taken place, especially about any other students involved. These laws also keep you and your child’s information private too. As availability to technology is rapidly increasing, bullying may extend beyond the school. If bullying happens online or via text messages outside school, report it to the school especially if other young people from the school are involved. References: www.stopbullying.gov , www.bullyingnoway.gov.au

Change of Details Please inform the office if any family details have altered, such as doctor’s

details, work and home phone numbers, residential and postal addresses.

Student Absences Please call the office before 10am on

50245407 if your child will not be attending school.

Dropping off & collecting students All parents/guardians are requested to

use the Karadoc Avenue carpark (located at the front of the school grounds, when dropping students off in the morning and

collecting them at the end of the day.

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Club Registration Day 3 Colours SC Registration day: Sunday 6th

March 3 Colours SC Shed, Soccer Park, Flora Ave Mildura. Time: 10am to 3pm.

New and existing players welcome to register Don’t miss out as teams are expected to fill

quickly. Players are requested to self register BEFORE the registration day. Instructions on how to self register are available at www.threecolours.com.au Further information: Vince Maiorana 0416 054 372 or threecolourssc@live.com.au

Irymple Secondary College kindly thanks the following

sponsors

Irymple Secondary College thanks the following sponsors

For every pair of school shoes or runners

purchased from the Athletes Foot $5.00

goes to the school to be put towards

sporting equipment. This offer is open to

students and parents who purchase

shoes from the Athletes Foot. If you’re in

the market for a new pair of shoes,

please consider purchasing them from

the Athletes Foot and let the shop

assistant know that you are from ISC.

We thank you for your support.

Illness

If your child is showing signs of illness in the morning, please make the necessary arrangements to keep them at home to reduce spreading germs. Your assistance with this matter is appreciated.